Census: same-sex couples still a statistically small percent of Australians

Given that our society and many basic rights are intrinsically linked to the definition of marriage, it seems strange to consider the disproportionate amount of time spent on the issue of same-sex marriage.

While the consequences of redefining marriage have in fact not been given the necessary attention in public discourse, a significant part of the same-sex marriage lobby’s argument has been overrepresented: recently released census data shows that just 0.38 per cent of Australia’s population are in same-sex relationships. In other words, the percentage of Australian society that has the most to gain by legalising same-sex marriage is less than half of one-percent.

There has been an 81% increase in same-sex couples recorded in 10 years, with more than 47,000 counted in last year’s census, compared with about 26,000 in 2006. The median age of same-sex couples was also younger – 40 years compared with 48 years for opposite-sex couples. The gender split was just about even with 49% female, of whom one-quarter (25%) had children, compared with just 4.5% of male same-sex couples.

Changing the definition of marriage affects every Australian. It affects not just LGBTI Australians, it affects everybody.

When discussing a legal change that affects the entire Australian population, it is important to have all of the facts straight. The amount of government time spent on this issue shows the disproportionate amount of attention that this issue is given. Likewise, the media and big corporate justify their amount of focus on the issue by blatantly exaggerating how large the LGBTI population is as a whole.

One letter to the Australian pointed out the disproportionate response to the same-sex marriage issue:

The new census figures indicate that there are just 46,800 gay couples in Australia — a whopping 0.38 per cent of the population. So same-sex marriage is hardly a mainstream matter.

Human lifestyle choices are remarkably creative, and we can be confident that, once the definition of marriage has been amended, over time it will have to be altered to include other variant unions, such as polygamous relationships. We are in denial if we believe that the social push will simply stop at gay marriage. Changing an institution to cater for 0.38 per cent of the population should not be on the agenda.

Another pointed out that the LGBTI lobby does not just want a legal change – rather that they want to change the fundamental nature of our society:

Setting aside the hyperbole of describing same-sex marriage as a human rights issue on the scale of giving women the vote, Caroline Overington gets it half right when she blames the Labor Party for the status quo (“ALP cares for power and glory over human rights”, online, 27/6). The LGBTI lobby, who are the ones with the most skin in the game, are just as much to blame.

They could not stomach same-sex marriage being granted to them by the public as an amendment to the traditional definition of marriage rather than acknowledged by parliament as a pre-existing right. If they had really wanted same-sex marriage so desperately and lobbied Labor to support the government, does anyone believe Bill Shorten’s opportunistic objection to a plebiscite (with which he once had no problem) would have survived longer than a millisecond?

Supporters of traditional marriage are not alone. Citizens across the country are voicing their concerns –and the media are taking notice.

The consequences of changing the definition of marriage affect the whole of society, not just the tiny percentage of people in same-sex relationships. However, those who advocate for same-sex marriage have been so vocal and active that they have successfully made the number of same-sex marriage supporters appear much larger than it really is.

The silent majority should not be ignored in order to appease the demands of a slim few. As a whole, Australian society has far more to lose than win by redefining marriage. The data is there: same-sex couples are drastically outnumbered. Our politicians should be looking to protect the Australian family for the benefit of all society – not destroy it.

It’s time to let politicians know your view on the definition of marriage. Join us in fighting the wave of same-sex marriage activism and protect the family.